Michigan Kettlebells Strength & Training Center

I took one class and now on to next. The high level of instruction, individualized attention and emphasis on form was really amazing. I am fired up for next class!

This place is AMAZING!
I’m going to hold off on talking about the staff for a sec and focus on the members that make Michigan Kettlebells what it is. From the first time I walked into Craig Sylvester’s sweat shop to this day (just a few weeks after) I am greeted with smiles, hand shakes and fist pumps. Just today as I arrived early for a workout, I was faced with a chorous of, «Hi Drew», from some long-​time members who were already working out. I felt like I had just stepped into «Cheers»! Everyone makes you feel right at home and are quick to assist you if needed. Michigan Kettlebells is the TRUE «Judgement-​Free Zone». There are a wide variety of individuals with varying fitness levels and backgrounds training here – from soccer moms to current military members and athletes – and all egos are left at the door! No one is competing to best another, rather each and every individual is competing against their personal best. It seems to be ingrained in the culture of MKB that no one individual is greater than the sum of its parts. I truly enjoy the «team» or «tribe» mentality – MKB isn’t a gym made up of bricks and wood; it’s a gym made up of passionate individuals seeking more out of life through the pursuit of optimal fitness.
Now, the trainers: Craig Sylvester, the owner, leads the trio of passionate, knowledgeable and highly capable trainers/​coaches. Craig may look (and sound) a bit intimidating initially, but is truly one of the kindest individuals I have come across. He has a genuine passion for teaching his craft and exudes the friendliness and positive energy that displays through MKB members. Jon, a KB Sport coach, and Derrik, an endurance athlete and a top finisher in the World’s Toughest Mudder, complete the trainer trio. These gentlemen are more than willing to share with you their wealth of knowledge and will ensure you have the necessary tools to meet your personal fitness goals.
The programs and classes here are tough and challenging. When you combine Craig’s imposing stature, the raw, stripped-​down, no-​nonsense aura of the facility, and the intensity of the workouts, the initial experience may be slightly uncomfortable. You will – as I did – quickly get comfortable with the «uncomfortable». You will quickly realize – as I did – that a trip outside of the Comfort Zone is exactly what is needed to achieve anything great out of life – whether it be a promotion, a marriage, weight loss, strength, a championship, WHATEVER! The workouts send the message that the present challenge, the current pain will result in future achievements and accomplishments.
So when you’re ready to leve behind the bland monotonous routine of the big box corporate facilities, take a drive down Rochester Rd and check out Michigan Kettlebells. It’ll be an experience you won’t soon for get and can’t wait to repeat!

The owner, Craig, is awesome at explaining all the moves and techniques. I took my first Kettlebell class there and I learned so much in just 1 hour. I really like that he takes the time to correct everyone’s form in order to prevent injury and gives lot of pointers on how to improve ourselves. He is a great motivator, and I cannot wait to go back and start burning the calories.
The only con is that this place is a little hard to find! It is on Snell Industrial (right off Rochester Rd). But once you’ve been there, you’ll know how to get there.

Thanks to Brain P. Unilocal review, I found this place!
Went to there website first & got basically every question answered, emailed the owners Craig & Dawn for the other questions I still had, and they both responded quickly, so fast from Craig that I was able to attend a ‘free intro to kettlebell ’ class on 4−6−13.
[ in full disclosure I tried a KB class once in Auburn Hills, when I was 393# ]
He did strongly recommend that I purchase 4 – 6 inch wrist sweat bands, as KB are not forgiving to your upper/​back forearms. he said Dunhams or Dicks carried them, which they did.
So I arrived at 12:15 for a 12:30 class, Craig warmly greeted me & introduced me to a couple of people that were training.
So class started on time, and there were 6 of us.
Me at 52, one guy 42 & 4 young professionals that were 21 – 24
[ yep I felt ancient ! ]
Craig showed us technique, warm ups, stretches, cool downs & every possible KB move.
And the cobra stretch, which I loved!
After 2 hours & fifteen minutes, I knew my body had, had enough. I paused thanked him for his time, and said good bye to my classmates
NOTE:
the KB routines are very VERY exhilarating./exhausting & not for the faint of heart.
Make sure you can do a versatile squat & your hamstrings are loose, limber& fluid.
As the KB workout seemed to effect/​affect that muscle group the most.
As my recovery took 3 full days.
I’m not a rookie to exercise as for the last 16 months I hit the gym 4 – 6 days a week, do ½ hour or cardio & 90 minutes of weights free/​machine
BUT after 2 hours & 15 minutes, I knew I was done/​spent.
Yes Craig ran us through the wringer, but it was all proper, motivated, timed & with proper rest & hydration intervals.
On another positive closing note:
This is NOT Ballys, Lifetime of Planet Fitness, nor should it be.
It is an old school gym with weights, no fluff or foo –foo at all.
If your a firefighter/​police/​ems or military, discounts are available
His wife Dawn [ quite the Olympian ] has followed up with web links & nutritional advice as she has a passion to help others.
&
Learn more at:

I have done 2 of the Sunday Bootcamps by Dawn and they are great. Getting back on track health wise has been really hard for me, and they have such a wealth of knowledge about diet and training there.
I was sick of wanting to puke every time I worked out with a trainer at another gym, so I gave it a shot. 1^st class I thought «Hey this is cool. I am working hard but I am not about to pass out» and really thought that maybe I wasn’t working hard enough… the next day I could barely sit down to pee lol.
Long story short, you will get a great workout that is productive, not debilitating. You will get support if you ask for it diet and nutrition wise (You can even get food shopping lists and diet plans for a small added cost), and you will get a gym that doesn’t have a bunch of people just wanting to be seen. It’s private, constructive, and effective.

When my friend saw this Groupon and thought it would be a fun thing for us all to do, I was extremely hesitant. «Group» fitness classes have never really been my thing. I decided to go along with it, since it was only 5 classes and thought it might be a good way to make time for my friends. Needless to say, I went to the first class and have been hooked ever since! I agree with the other reviewers though, you can’t just do the intro class and decide, you have to try a full on class. You will be energized and feel great afterward. if not a little bit whooped from what you just accomplished… in a good way.
I have since got my husband to join. We are both a little competitive so this class creates a little friendly competition between us, which only pushes us harder. It’s a great way to work out together!
The instructors are great and the atmosphere is fun and collaborative. Everyone there is rooting for you to succeed, no matter your fitness level, so don’t be intimidated if you aren’t in top notch shape. You find yourself pushing yourself harder then you realized you could, yet you don’t feel like you have to. I am definitely stronger then I was since I started doing the classes, and the range of motion on my injured shoulder has greatly improved!

I’m a seasonal runner so for the winter I needed something else that didn’t involve being outside. I found Michigan Kettlebell Strength & Training Center from a Groupon.
I enjoy going to the classes and look forward to them. Everyone that attends the classes are motiving and friendly. You’ll actually make some friends from the classes. It’s kinda like a small family.
I’m definitely much stronger now then I was 6 months ago when I first joined. I’m seeing definition in places that I’ve never had before from running and yoga. It’s a great workout and you’ll feel exhilarated after. Each day is a different workout so you can go everyday and not feel like you’ve done the same thing.
The instructors are all fantastic.
If you haven’t tried Michigan Kettlebell Strength & Training Center, I highly, highly recommend it. But, you can’t just try the free intro class and decide if you like it or not. You really need to purchase a few classes and I promise you’ll be hooked.

I get such fabulous workouts. You work out your whole body. Dawn and Craig are wonderful. Very informative and supportive. Couldn’t be happier!

My wife and I have been going to Michigan Kettlebells for over two months now. We joined via a Groupon to try something different other than the traditional type of gym and standard treadmill workout. We couldn’t be happier.
Initial impressions just trying to find the place and walking in were not what I was expecting. If you are used to walking into a Lifetime Fitness with tons of equipment, throw that idea away. Michigan Kettlebells is tucked into a small commercial and storage complex. Once you walk in, you will see this is a large renovated garage and sets the mood for the workouts to come. You will learn to love it.
There is a wide variety of people who attend. Classes generally have 10 – 15 people in them and have a ⁶⁰⁄₄₀ mix of men to women. Age ranges from ~16 — 60 years old across many different skill levels from beginners to marathon runners. Everyone is very supportive and a great crowd to workout with. The workouts are different every single day I have attended, but maintain the core principal to increase general strength and fitness. This is done through Kettlebell training in additional to raw,“backyard” type of workouts such as tractor tire flipping, sand bag lifting, push ups, pull ups and everything in between.
Craig, the primary instructor, is very knowledgeable and an overall great guy. His wife, Dawn, holds female only boot camp classes on Sunday which my wife attends. She is loving those as well. A third trainer Derek, is another great asset to the gym.
All I can say is do yourself a favor and check this out, I am happy I did.